Sage

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is native to the Mediterranean. Salvia derives its name from the Latin ‘salveo’, meaning ‘to be well’ and ‘in good health’.

An old Latin proverb translates as ‘Why should a man die while sage grows in his garden?’.

The ancient Romans held sage in reverence and followed an elaborate ceremony when harvesting it.

Sage was also said to have grown in Medieval emperor Charlemagne’s royal garden.

In the 17th century, the Chinese were said to be fans of the herb as a tea and traded three cases of their tea with the Dutch for one case of sage.

In 2001, the International Herb Association awarded sage ‘Herb of the Year’.

Today, studies have shown that sage enhances memory in healthy young adults. It has also been shown to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Juniper

Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a member of the pine family and is indigenous to Europe, North America, and Southwest Asia.

The Ancient Greeks gave juniper berries to their Olympian athletes in a bid to increase stamina.

In the 16th century, Egyptian doctors gave their patients juniper berries to help stimulate digestion.

Native Americans from yesteryear were said to use juniper berries to help with a range of conditions, from infections to arthritis.

Today, Juniper berries are most famously known as the main ingredient in gin.